On the synthesis of binary and ternary carbides in a modified domestic microwave oven

By modifying a domestic microwave oven binary and ternary carbides were synthesized from the elements in an argon atmosphere. We succeded in preparing CaC2, Ca4Ni3C5 and MgM3Cx (M = Ni, Co) within several minutes. Well crystallized product powders were obtainend with purities as high as 90% (CaC2, MgNi3Cx). In the case of MgNi3Cx our experiments show that a product with a high carbon content (x approximate to 1) is only synthesized under optimized conditions (magnesium surplus, reaction time). This product exhibits the expected superconductivity with a critical temperature of approx. 6 K. The syntheses and possible structures of MgPdCxHy (x = 0.4-0.8, y = 0.4-2.3) and MgPtC0,06H0,32 are briefly discussed.